"to speak out, declare, particularly solemn, weighty, or pithy sayings, Acts 2:4, 14; 26:25*"
Definition and meaning
to speak out, declare, particularly solemn, weighty, or pithy sayings, Acts 2:4, 14; 26:25*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀποφθέγγομαι
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of apophthengomai (G669) across the King James Bible.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
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Common questions
Strong's G669 (apophthengomai) is a Greek word that means: to speak out, declare, particularly solemn, weighty, or pithy sayings, Acts 2:4, 14; 26:25* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word apophthengomai (G669) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G669 is apophthengomai, a Greek word defined as: to speak out, declare, particularly solemn, weighty, or pithy sayings, Acts 2:4, 14; 26:25*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
apophthengomai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.